An individual who contaminated treats with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained Ruben continued to play the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not responded by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
